A horror legend says he wants to play a crucial character on The Walking Dead — and reveals which Oscar-nominated actor the producers supposedly have in mind instead. Plus updates on The Dark Knight Rises, The Hobbit, Riddick, and much more!

Spoilers from here on out!

Top image from The Avengers.

The Dark Knight Rises

Costar Joseph Gordon-Levitt confirms that the movie will deal with the sorts of class issues brought into the limelight by the Occupy movement, which Selina Kyle alludes to in the trailer in her whispered conversation with Bruce Wayne:

Yup! I know. You saw it, man. The trailer isn't misleading and Nolan's not the type of guy to create a trailer that will sell you something other than what the movie is.

Man of Steel

There's now a set photo of director Zack Snyder and young actor Robert Gerdisch, who is rumored to be playing Whitney Fordham in the movie. While the specific casting still isn't confirmed, it's now looking pretty much definite that Gerdisch is indeed in the film. [Man of Steel Facebook Page]

The Avengers

You know those clearly crazy rumors about Spider-Man making a cameo appearance in The Avengers, despite the fact that Marvel Studios owns the Avengers and Sony owns Spider-Man? Well, they're apparently not going away, and people are claiming that "reliable inside sources" are claiming it's really happening, and will be something along the lines of Wolverine's surprise cameo in X-Men: First Class. Frankly, I still just don't buy this level of inter-corporation synergy, even if I can sort of see why both parties might be up for it - Sony because it's great advertising for The Amazing Spider-Man, and Marvel Studios and their parent company Disney because it maybe kicks off the process of reclaiming the company's most important character. All that said, I'd still take these claims with a truly gargantuan grain of salt until we hear more. This all still seems pretty clearly crazy to me. [Best Movies Ever News]

"I had a lot of fun with him, it was great. Joss has an extraordinary taste, I think. He's got such a brilliant and irreverent sense of humour but also an incredibly deep knowledge of the comic book genre and a respect for the traditions of how these things are handled."

Thor 2

Also, just in case there was any doubt - and I don't really think there was - Tom Hiddleston confirms both Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman will be back for the sequel. [Belfast Telegraph]

The Amazing Spider-Man

Andew Garfield explains how he approached this new incarnation of Peter Parker:

I have tried to explore Peter Parker as an orphan. Orphans, I feel, are the strongest human beings on the planet. The amount of things they have to deal with in their lives, is amazing. I have tried to capture how Peter copes with the feelings of being an underdog, his confusions and his self-doubt . This, I hope, has brought, a certain empathy and sensitivity to his character that explains how it helps him become the hero that he eventually turns out to be.

Here's a new promo image of Andrew Garfield in costume as Spider-Man, apparently shortly after a run-in with the Lizard's claws. [Spinoff Online]

X-Men: First Class

Matthew Vaughn has reportedly signed on to direct the sequel, which is being written by Simon Kinberg and once again produced by Bryan Singer. [Deadline]

Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance

This 20-minute interview is only really of interest to our Italian-speaking readers, seeing as how it's in Italian and all. There are, however, a pair of sneak peeks at the 8:20 and 16:20. The second one is dubbed, but the first is just a lot of dialogue-free mayhem, transcending all known language barriers. [Coming Soon]

The Hunger Games

Elizabeth Banks, who plays Effie Trinket in the film, offers this praise of director Gary Ross:

Oh yeah, he's a great moviemaker and a great storyteller... He's a writer too, so every character matters and it's about the fun performances he's trying to get everyone. I mean, Effie Trinket is an amazing character, so we had a great time figuring her out together. I can't wait for people to see it.

John Carter

Here's a teaser for the new promo trailer that will air during the Super Bowl.

The Hobbit

Lost and Real Steel actress Evangeline Lilly explains how she's approaching her role as the newly created elf Tauriel:

"I'm a fairly spontaneous actor. I like to keep things fresh and real and alive. And therefore, I don't do a lot of prepping. I can't just be spontaneous, because there is nothing natural about being an elf. It's not human, so I have to study to learn what it means to be this other creature.

"So, on top of my stunt training — which I need to learn how to be proficient with the bow and arrow, and with daggers, and in fighting orcs that are, you know, ten feet tall — I also have to learn the language of Elvish, and I have to learn an RP [Received Pronunciation] neutral English accent for when I speak English. [I've spent] four times as much time preparing as I do actually shooting."

The big takeaway here is probably the fact that Tauriel will be battling orcs in the movie - which isn't exactly a surprise, but is good to have confirmed. [Yahoo! Movies]

Riddick

Vin Diesel released a new photo of himself on-set as Riddick, complete with this caption, which is pretty much the most Vin Diesel thing ever written:

"Being king has it's perks… yet an alpha Furyan, must return to his primitive state… that animal side.

(low rumble)
GRRRRR…"

People, Vin Diesel is a national treasure. I better not be the only person who recognizes this. [Moviehole]

Snow White and the Huntsman

Here's a pair of new promo images, one featuring Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen and the other of Thor's Chris Hemsworth with the eight (yes, eight) dwarves, a group that includes Ian McShane, Eddie Izzard, Ray Winstone, Bob Hoskins, Toby Jones, Eddie Marsan, Stephen Graham, and Nick Frost. [Coming Soon]

The Woman in Black

Star Daniel Radcliffe is about to endear himself to a lot of people with his explanation of why his Victorian horror movie isn't in 3D:

"[It] lasted until [director] James [Watkins] and I were on board. And then we went, ‘If there's a film that does not need 3D, this is it.' I am not enamored of 3D, though I'm sure I'll have to get used to it. If you really think there's something to be gained by 3D, then fair enough. But if you just go, ‘Oh, let's make it in 3D just because everyone's doing it now'-why waste your money? Why charge people more? Unless there is a truly tangible benefit to the film, I don't understand. And THE WOMAN IN BLACK…nothing about it needs 3D. It's the same way I've felt-and I've been quite honest about this in interviews before-about the last HARRY POTTER film, which came out in 3D, and I saw it in 3D once and in 2D once. The 3D was good, but I don't think it added much. It's already a visually impressive film, and it didn't need anything else on top of that. And I hate having to wear those bloody glasses. Now they're doing 3D TVs at home, and I'm just like, ‘I don't wanna sit and wear those glasses at home alone!'"

Only Lovers Left Alive

Down by Law and Broken Flowers director Jim Jarmusch has put together the cast for his guaranteed to be idiosyncratic take on vampire movies. The cast reportedly now includes The Avengers villain Tom Hiddleston, Michael Clayton and We Need to Talk About Kevin star Tilda Swinton, and all-purpose acting legend John Hurt. [The Hollywood Reporter]

Stretch Armstrong

Relativity Media, the people behind such movies as Immortals and Haywire, are taking over this adaptation of that one toy that a lot of people vaguely remember playing with for a few days about twenty years ago...you know, the one with the weird goo inside or whatever that was. Universal was originally working on the Stretch Armstrong adaptation with Twilight star Taylor Lautner and Gulliver's Travels director Rob Letterman, but they abandoned the project, presumably when they realized they were doing a Stretch Armstrong with Twilight star Taylor Lautner and Gulliver's Travels director Rob Letterman. Anyway, Relativity is likely starting over from scratch, which means we have the rare chance to see if they can put together an even more ludicrous creative team than the last one. No, I'm not sure it's possible either. [Coming Soon]

Doctor Who

Matt Smith discusses his eventual departure from the series as well as his potential replacement:

"I just sort of take each year as it comes really. We've got all the rest of this year to get through and then we'll just sit down and review it from there and see where it goes. But I love playing the part and I love working with (writer) Steven Moffat...I think there will need to be a younger, cooler person than me - or maybe an older, cooler person, who knows? But I don't think I'll be doing it as long as Mr. Baker."

Assuming he's referring to Tom Baker there, who did seven seasons on the show, that means Smith plans to leave sometime before 2016...probably. Of course, if he means he doesn't think he will be doing the show for as long as Colin Baker, then I think he's got roughly one episode left before he regenerates. [Doctor Who Online]

Game of Thrones

Emilia Clarke discusses how the newly hatched dragons figure into season two, as well as what's ahead for Daenerys:

"You're going to see a fair amount of them I think. They're my three little new cast members. We have models that I get to do camera rehearsals with and then there's nothing and I just have to kind of [imagine them]. I was holding a little stuffy toy [at one point], that was about it.

"She goes through another different stage I think, kind of coming to the realization of what she's up against and that she's definitely in a man's world. So it's interesting. We have a few new players, there are some interesting ones that kind of make an appearance."

The Walking Dead

Here's a promo for the show's return. You can also check out another one here.

Horror legend Tom Savini is openly campaigning to be cast as the Governor, a character that he visually resembles and is occasionally rumored to be the actual basis for. He says he keeps sending pictures of himself and the Governor to executive producer Greg Nicotero, just to hammer home how perfect he feels he is for the part. Where this gets interesting is that, according to Savini, the show already has someone else in mind for the part:

Last time I talked to him about it, when I was in Los Angeles, he said they were going after a name for that part. I said, "Who?" He said John Hawkes. Well, I never heard of John Hawkes. But then he reminds me that we were in From Dusk Till Dawn together. He is the guy at the beginning in the store that fires on them. Apparently he was up for an Academy Award. He was up for something called Winter's Bone. That's whom they are going after for The Governor. But everyone I talk to, the people that read the graphic novels...They've all said that I would be the perfect governor. Because he is tough and brutal.

No disrespect to Tom Savini, but seriously — if you can get John Hawkes to play anything, you damn well go and get John Hawkes. I'm pretty sure anyone who has seen Deadwood, Winter's Bone, or even Eastbound and Down will agree with that general sentiment. [MovieWeb]

Alcatraz

Once Upon a Time

Here's the promo for the Beauty and the Beast-themed episode "Skin Deep", which airs February 12, after the show takes this Sunday off for the Super Bowl. [KSiteTV]

Here's the official description for episode thirteen, "What Happened to Frederick", which airs February 19:

DAVID AGREES TO TELL KATHRYN ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH MARY MARGARET AND END HIS LOVELESS MARRIAGE, AND PRINCE CHARMING AIDS ABIGAIL ON A DANGEROUS MISSION TO RECOVER SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT WAS LOST TO HER, ON ABC'S "ONCE UPON A TIME" - Alan Dale ("Lost") Guest Stars as King George - With their love for each other growing stronger, David finally agrees to tell Kathryn about his relationship with Mary Margaret and put an end to his loveless marriage. Meanwhile, in the fairytale land that was, while runaway groom Prince Charming searches for Snow White, he agrees to aid Abigail on a dangerous mission to recover something precious that was lost to her.

Grimm

Here's a pair of sneak peeks for this Friday's episode and tenth overall, "Organ Grinder." You can also check out another one here.

Here's a photo of beloved genre actor Amy Acker in her upcoming appearance as "a spiderwoman who seduces and slays a string of Portland men by sucking out their organs and leaving their bodies mummified." Here's how Acker describes the role:

"This is not one of those revenge-against-men-type stories. She's a black widow who is facing a very difficult inner struggle. She's doing what she must to survive."

Supernatural

Producer Jim Michaels says the show hasn't received a season eight pickup yet, but he says they're optimistic that they will indeed get another season. [SpoilerTV]

Being Human (UK)

Here's some dialogue from the fourth series premiere, "Eve of the War", which airs February 5:

"They killed everyone, just clambered over the bodies. We lost the city."
"Do you really call it Rentaghost? That's just stupid."
"Come with me. Don't come with me. You've all got tickets for the Titanic either way."
"No, you're good cop remember. Like we rehearsed."
"You're the Lone Ranger, you're a hero."
"I'm going to save the world."

Aliens vs. Wizards

Russell T. Davies's new show will feature a lot of fellow Doctor Who alums as writers, including "The Lodger" and "Closing Time" writer Gareth Roberts, Torchwood and Sarah Jane Adventures writer Joe Lidster, and Sarah Jane Adventures writer Clayton Hickman. Davies's "Waters of Mars" co-writer and longtime Sarah Jane Adventures writer Phil Ford is also on board as co-creator. Ray Holman, who was the costume designer for the fifth season of Doctor Who, has also joined the show, as well as Being Human crew member Derek Ritchie as script editor. [Blogtor Who]

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

Here are two sneak peeks and the official description for the next episode, "The Box", which airs this Friday.

Which bounty hunters will be the last ones standing? It's a tournament of champions, Star Wars-style, in the next all-new episode of The Clone Wars. Obi-Wan Kenobi is still deep undercover as the criminal marksman Rako Hardeen, and he's done such an impressive job that he's qualified for Count Dooku's ultimate test: surviving the Box.

The Box is a technological marvel, a reconfiguring obstacle course where sloppy players are eliminated, because Dooku needs the best if he's going to carry out his wicked plot to kidnap the Chancellor. A dozen of the galaxy's most skilled and notorious bounty hunters are selected to compete for the mission – including the unforgettable Embo, who makes a return appearance. Cad Bane also enters the fray, and he's been keeping a close eye on "Rako." Can Obi-Wan prove his skills to survive to the finish, without revealing he's a Jedi Knight?

And here's a promo image.

Lost Girl

Here's the synopsis for "School's Out", the sixteenth episode of season two:

Bo goes undercover as a high school teacher to investigate a mysterious case – and Kenzi soon regrets agreeing to help her.